SEATTLE - SAFECO FIELD

Safeco Field is the first park that we visited on our trip, so we currently don't have much to compare it to. But it is still a great park, with excellent sight lines, good variety of seat prices, and a large number of interesting things to see if the game becomes boring.

We don't recommend driving there - parking is expensive and at the end of the game, you can expect a long wait. Buses are a good way to get there, call (206) 553-3000 for the best route to the game. If you are already downtown, it is only about a 20-minute walk from Pioneer Square to the stadium. Take Occidental Avenue in order to get some cheap souvenirs and food - you are allowed to bring food into the stadium so stock up on the cheap stuff before you enter. For example, Cracker Jacks are $5 inside, but only $2 outside. 

If you need tickets, walk along 1st Avenue to Atlantic Street and turn left at the Home Plate Gate - there will also be scalpers around if you are looking for a better seat. As well, these entrances are not as busy as those at the front of the ballpark, so you can get in without waiting.

If you want to see batting practice, get there 3 hours before game time and enter via the center field gate. At that time, you cannot walk into the infield seating, but you can pass the time in the Bullpen Market, a collection of unique restaurants that includes a sushi place with one plate known as the "Ichiroll". You can also stand in the Bullpen BBQ and watch the game from straight away center field. There is also the Bullpen Pub, a small restaurant located just beside the visitors bullpen - there are about 12 stools that face the field from behind the left field fence, definitely an interesting way to view the game, but you have to get there early to get a seat. 

For those of you hoping to get a baseball, stand in the right field stands during batting practice - there will be a few balls hit out, but make sure you have your glove. Two hours before game time, the entire park opens -now is the time to move to the dugouts to get some pictures and autographs.

Carlos Guillen gives an autograph

There are a number of different ticket prices - the most expensive being $36 for lower box seats in the infield. If you are not on a budget, I would recommend these seats for getting close to the action. Lower box seats along the outfield lines are $30, these are also OK seats. The second level is known as the Terrace Club and is actually more expensive as you need to pay an extra $5/game membership fee - avoid these seats if you want to get the real feel of the ballpark.  The third deck is known as view seats with the first 5 or so rows called View Box and selling for $20, the rest of the upper deck is called View Reserved and sells for $15.

In the outfield, there are three sections - the left and right field lower seats are reserved and are also $20. The left field bleachers are $11 and the center field bleachers are $6. Obviously seating preferences are different for every fan, but after seeing two games at Safeco, I would not recommend the lower outfield reserved seats - it's probably better to get the center field bleacher seats and spend the $14 you've saved on a beer and a hot dog while enjoying the game in the Bullpen Pub.  

Which brings us to the food - I recommend the Polish dog over the other normal dogs - it is thicker and juicier and provides some variety from the usual ballpark frank. I also recommend getting your food before the game starts - the Mariners are popular these days and waiting times can be long. If you want to enjoy a meal, try the Hit It Here Cafe above right field - but get there early, a line up forms shortly after gates open.

There are other food items that we didn't have a chance to try, including an International Wok with Chinese dishes and a High Cheese Pizza. For beer lovers, check out the Power Alley, a bar with a collection of beers from around the world - it is located behind home plate on the concourse level as part of the Home Plate Food Fair.

Left-field gate

Safeco is known as the first major league open-air stadium with a retractable roof. The roof takes about 10 minutes to close, which is very useful when Seattle experiences another of its occasional rain showers. But even with the roof closed, it can still be chilly as the stadium is not entirely enclosed. 

Another interesting place to stand is called Lookout Landing, which can be found on the Upper Concourse above the Left Field gate. The Landing affords complete views of the stadium as well as great views of downtown and the Puget Sound. Grab a beer and stand there for a couple of innings, it's almost like you are not in the ballpark!

Finally, for those of you with time, there is a tour offered at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on days when there is a night game (when there is no game, there is an additional tour at 2:30 pm).  The tour costs $7/person and is highly recommended - it begins with a trip down to the field, and although you can't actually step on the grass, you can roam through the dugouts. You are then shown the Diamond Club restaurant which is the area reserved for Diamond Club ticket holders. In this area, you are served a free buffet meal before heading to your seat to enjoy the game. Of course, it is not really free as ticket prices for the Diamond Club are $250 or $150/game. 

After a brief video and photo op at the press room, you will see the press box, then onto a suite, and finally to the top of the stadium. It took about 1.5 hours to complete the tour, but the guides were interesting and it was nice to step on a major league field. Definitely worth a look if you have the time.